ICAR-National Research Centre on Camel, Bikaner organized Farmer-Scientist interaction meets and animal health camps under the Tribal Sub Plan at Isra and Mandwara villages in Sirohi, Rajasthan on 17 and 18 August 2018.

While interacting with the camel herders, Dr. A.K. Vashishth, ADG & Nodal Officer,TSP, ICAR said that for establishing camel milk trade, famers should make collective efforts by forming self-help groups at different Camel milk collection points. He appreciated the efforts of ICAR-NRCC in promoting Camel farmers to form a co-operative society “Unt Palak Seva Samiti, Sarahi” for trading of camel milk. He emphasized that the rates of Camel milk need be decided based on its therapeutic value.

Shri Devender Kumar, Director (Finance), ICAR while describing the importance of farmer producer organizations urged the camel herders to form cooperative societies for realizing higher economic benefits. This will also encourage the rural youths to adopt camel dairying as a vocation by which the Camel conservation efforts will be boosted.

Dr. N.V. Patil, Director, ICAR-NRCC while appreciating the efforts of the local camel herders for trading camel milk, urged to explore the markets located at different places in India, having a good rail and road connectivity. He appreciated the efforts of Shri Devi Lal who is trading freeze-dried camel milk powder and asked him to share his experience for rural youths to adopt this as a business model.